Three years since diagnosis

Three years ago today I was in the hospital for colon resection surgery. A colonoscopy had found a tumor which was obstructing my colon so much that the scope couldn't get past it! It was cancer, and cancer cells were also found in three lymph nodes, so I had the full six months/twelve treatments of Folfox. I was a stage IIIb.

Things are good now. My colonoscopy this summer found one small non-cancerous polyp (about the size of an apple seed, my gastroenterologist told me) which was removed. My CEA continues to be normal, and scans have all been clear. I had my port taken out recently--I was holding onto it just in case I needed it, but it looks like I won't need it anytime soon. (If I do, I'll just get a new one.) I'm working full-time and feeling good.

I know it could come back at any time--that's why my gastroenterologist insists on an annual colonoscopy and I'm still seeing my oncologist every six months. But for now, everything is good and back to normal, and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can for as long at that lasts!

I haven't posted a lot here but I've read a lot, especially when I was in treatment. I remember being very scared and uncertain, and I was always encouraged to read updates from people who were doing well--to see that it was possible to get past this. I wanted to add my update to pass along that encouragement to others.

Karen in FL